Stronger templates
Create or improve repeatable page layouts so content remains consistent.
Based in Manchester. Working with clients across the UK.
Focused WordPress development for practical website improvements.
Ducie Street Media builds and improves WordPress websites through defined development projects and agreed ongoing support. Work can cover templates, responsive behaviour, content layouts, forms, integrations, performance, maintenance, and changes that make the website easier to use and manage.
What you can expect from this service
01Clear inclusionsKnow what is included before work begins.
02Direct communicationWork directly with Scott throughout.
03Commercial purposeDecisions linked to a useful business outcome.
04Practical deliveryRecommendations shaped around budget, timing, and implementation.
What focused WordPress development should help you achieve
Improve what is already there without creating unnecessary disruption.
Focused development is useful when the platform remains suitable but particular pages, templates, or technical areas need attention.
Better responsive behaviour
Correct layouts, spacing, navigation, or forms that do not work properly on smaller screens.
More practical management
Reduce unnecessary complexity and make routine website updates easier to handle.
What the work includes
WordPress development can include
Theme and template work
Create or adjust page templates, archive layouts, and reusable sections.
Responsive fixes
Resolve mobile, tablet, and desktop layout problems.
Forms and enquiry journeys
Improve form presentation, validation, and routes to contact.
Performance improvements
Review images, scripts, caching, and avoidable front-end weight.
Content layout improvements
Restructure important pages so information is clearer and easier to scan.
Technical checks
Test links, errors, accessibility basics, and compatibility around the agreed work.
Ongoing website support
Agree regular updates, maintenance, monitoring, form changes, troubleshooting, or small development tasks where continuing support is useful.
Focused WordPress development
When is targeted WordPress development better than a full rebuild?
A focused development project is appropriate when the website’s platform, content, and overall direction remain useful, but a specific template, feature, integration, performance problem, or maintenance issue needs specialist work.
What types of WordPress work can be included?
Common projects include new page templates, form improvements, WooCommerce changes, custom fields, third-party integrations, accessibility fixes, performance work, migrations, and repairs after a theme or plugin issue. The exact route depends on the existing code and hosting environment.
Typical examples include:
- Template and component development within an existing design system
- WooCommerce catalogue, checkout, account, or operational improvements
- Forms, APIs, feeds, CRM connections, and other defined integrations
Should a plugin or custom code be used?
A maintained plugin is often sensible when it reliably solves a standard requirement. Custom code can be better when the plugin adds unnecessary weight, creates conflicts, lacks the required control, or introduces ongoing licence dependence. The decision should consider security, updates, support, and future ownership.
In practical terms:
- Avoid installing multiple overlapping plugins for one problem
- Document custom code and keep it within a maintainable theme or plugin structure
- Confirm recurring licence costs and account ownership before implementation
How is existing code assessed?
Before quoting substantial changes, DSM may need to review the active theme, child theme, plugins, PHP version, hosting, database, errors, backups, and staging options. Development on an unstable or undocumented site can carry additional risk.
In practical terms:
- Create or confirm a usable backup before changes
- Use staging where the change could affect forms, bookings, or sales
- Identify obsolete plugins, overrides, and customisations before updating
What testing is required?
Testing follows the affected journey. A visual template change needs responsive and browser checks. A form integration needs validation and delivery tests. Ecommerce work needs basket, checkout, payment, stock, email, account, and refund checks where relevant.
In practical terms:
- Test the specific change and the surrounding pages it can affect
- Check error logging and performance after deployment
- Keep a rollback route for changes to commercially critical functions
How is development priced?
A defined change can be quoted as a project or a block of development time. Unknown faults may require paid investigation before a reliable fix can be priced. The quote should explain assumptions, access requirements, testing, and what happens if the existing code creates additional work.
In practical terms:
- Separate diagnosis from implementation where the cause is unknown
- Identify premium licences and recurring fees
- Agree how additional findings will be approved before work continues
Who maintains the change afterward?
Custom work needs a named point of responsibility. Documentation, source code, licences, update responsibilities, and support boundaries should be clear. A feature that works at launch can still fail later if a third-party API, plugin, payment provider, or hosting environment changes.
In practical terms:
- Keep administrator and supplier access current
- Schedule updates and backups appropriate to the website
- Retest commercially critical journeys after major platform changes
This summary helps distinguish focused development from work that needs a broader redesign or rebuild.
| Requirement | Likely route | When a larger project may be better |
|---|---|---|
| One new template | Focused development | The whole site structure is inconsistent |
| Form or CRM integration | Plugin or custom integration | The enquiry journey also needs redesign |
| WooCommerce change | Store development | Catalogue and checkout both need rebuilding |
| Performance repair | Audit and targeted fixes | Hosting, theme, and plugin stack are broadly unsuitable |
Best suited for
When focused WordPress development is enough.
- WordPress sites that need a new page or reusable template
- Businesses dealing with specific mobile or layout problems
- Sites that need forms or content journeys improved
- Teams that need focused work rather than a full rebuild
How the work progresses
A controlled route from technical review to release.
- 01
Review
Inspect the existing website, tools, and problem areas.
- 02
Agree requirements
Define the required change, dependencies, responsibilities, and testing.
- 03
Develop
Complete the agreed template, layout, or functionality work.
- 04
Test
Check devices, forms, links, and affected pages.
- 05
Handover
Explain the change and agree any further support.
Relevant experience
A practical, platform-aware approach
DSM itself is built on WordPress using a custom theme, with responsive templates, structured service content, and performance considerations handled inside the theme rather than added as an afterthought.
Read About the DSM Approach →Before you enquire
Common questions about WordPress Development.
These answers clarify the included development time, testing, third-party tools, ongoing support, and work outside the starting package.
How much does WordPress development cost?
Focused WordPress development starts from £750. The final quote depends on the theme, plugins, functionality, code quality, and testing required.
What is included in the £750 starting package?
The starting package covers up to 10 development hours for one agreed and prioritised set of changes, including appropriate testing.
What happens if the work needs more than 10 hours?
DSM will explain the remaining work before continuing. Additional development is normally charged at £75 per hour or quoted as a fixed additional phase.
Can you fix an existing WordPress website?
Yes. The site is reviewed first to understand the theme, plugins, hosting, and condition of the existing build before changes are agreed.
Do you build custom WordPress themes?
Yes. A custom theme can be appropriate where the project needs a controlled design system, stronger performance or functionality that is not well served by an off-the-shelf theme.
Can you work with Elementor?
Yes. DSM can work with Elementor where it is already appropriate, while avoiding unnecessary dependence on page-builder features that make the site harder to manage.
Are paid plugins and licences included?
No. Any required premium plugins, themes, fonts, external services, or licences are identified and paid separately unless the written quote states otherwise.
Do you provide ongoing WordPress support and maintenance?
Yes. Managed hosting, updates, backups, monitoring, troubleshooting, and small website changes can be provided through a separately agreed support plan. A one-off development project does not automatically include ongoing support.
How long will WordPress development take?
The timeframe depends on access, the condition of the site, the agreed change list, and whether third-party systems are involved. A target schedule is confirmed before work begins.
Can you improve WordPress performance and security?
Performance and basic security improvements can be included, but results depend on the hosting, theme, plugins, and existing technical condition.
Based in Manchester. Working with clients across the UK.
Discuss WordPress development.
Share your current position, what you want to improve, and any timeframe you have in mind. We’ll come back to you with the most useful next step.